Communication Studies, AA-T

Behavioral and Social Sciences Division
www.elcamino.edu/academics/behavioralsocial

The degree provides students with a thorough foundation in the theory and practice of communication studies. This is achieved through a variety of courses that serve to develop personal, business, and professional communication skills in individual, interpersonal, and group situations, along with skills in research, organization, critical thinking, argumentation, and forensics. Students will demonstrate their proficiency through performance, class projects, research papers, objective tests, critiques, and competitions. Program assessment is measured by completion, evaluation of student learning outcomes, transferability, competitions at the local, state, and national levels, and periodic program review.

The Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing the AA-T are given priority consideration for admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. In order to earn an AA-T degree, students must complete:

1. Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University.
2. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements.
3. A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
4. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
5. A grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

Students who have completed the AA-T will have a strong academic foundation in the field and will be prepared for upper division baccalaureate study at the university.

The coursework will satisfy most of the lower-division requirements at many institutions within the California State University system. Students transferring to a UC, private, or out-of-state university should consult with an El Camino College counselor when planning to complete the degree since transfer requirements may be slightly different than those required for the AA-T.